Are you looking for ways to make your home stand out without burning a hole in your pocket? Wainscoting might just be the architectural detail you need!
While home details such as arched doorways and unique moldings are attractive, they can surely be quite costly, especially if you’re taking the DIY route. Luckily, wainscoting can make all the difference! What is wainscoting, you ask?
Originating from 16th-century English countryhouses, this architectural trend has been around for ages and shows no signs of fading away. In fact, since it comes in so many styles nowadays, you can find it in many homes, serving as an attractive and eye-catching feature. These panels effortlessly bring warmth, coziness, and character, making it the perfect addition if you’re thinking about doing a DIY home remodel.
If this is your first time running into wainscoting, you’ve landed in the perfect spot! We’ve rounded up everything there is to know about this wall decor feature, so you can decide whether it’s the right fit for your home.
What Is Wainscoting?
In essence, wainscoting is a type of wall paneling that can be easily fixed to a wall. This architectural detail was a standard in old houses, but it has recently experienced a resurgence in popularity. Many people use it to add a unique character to rooms where it’s very much needed, and since it’s pretty versatile style-wise, you can incorporate it wherever you see fit. Plus, given its cost and convenience, wainscoting is very DIY-friendly!
Traditionally, wainscoting panels are made from lower-grade wooden planks, coming in all sorts of widths and styles. However, now, you can often find these panels in metal, plastic, and even fiberboard.
Wainscoting Materials
Let’s take a look at the most common materials used for wainscoting, so you can decide which one will work best for your home.
Solid Wood
As previously mentioned, low-grade wood is the original material used to create wainscoting panels. It often provides a rustic finish, making it perfect for countryhouse-inspired homes. However, since it can be easily painted over, you can incorporate it into any type of style.
The cost of wood wainscoting panels can vary depending on the type of wood you go for – pine being the most inexpensive option. Most importantly, you need to be very careful with the installation for this option since cracks and gaps can be quite common.
Metal
Metal wainscoting panels have seen quite an upward trend in recent years, given their edgier appeal. They’re quite durable and can last for decades, which is why so many homeowners choose them over all other options.
Additionally, metal wainscoting panels are very easy to maintain, standing up to scuffs and stains better than wood and fiberboard. Once installed, they can last for decades, meaning you don’t have to think about replacements for quite a long time.
Fiberboard
Medium-density fiberboard (MDF, for short) is similar to wood, though it doesn’t expand, warp, or have knots. In other words, it can be more durable, but it can cost a bit more than its regular counterpart.
Still, one of the biggest drawbacks of fiberboard panels is how they react to moisture. Namely, moisture-resistant MDF is suitable for bathrooms, but the “regular” type can show signs of wear and tear pretty quickly. For that reason, make sure you pick the right type before choosing to install fiberboard wainscoting in the bathroom
Plastic
Plastic wainscoting panels are ideal for areas that are prone to a lot of moisture, such as laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, since they’re rot-resistant. These panels can come at a fair price, though they don’t allow a lot of opportunities for customization.
Cost Of Wainscoting Panels
According to Home Advisor, the typical cost for wainscoting ranges between $1,500-1,600. Still, this depends on the type of material you’re going for, as well as the size of the room.
To avoid overspending, our tip is to assess where you want to include your panels. Usually, one of the most common mistakes that homeowners make is that they don’t measure the area properly, so they end up buying more panels than needed.
With that in mind, carefully evaluate where you want to install wainscoting, measure, and you’re all set!
Where To Use Wainscoting
Here comes the fun part! You know by now that wainscoting is pretty versatile, meaning it can be installed almost everywhere. To make the most out of your investment, here are a few suggestions where you can install your panels.
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Entryways
Wainscoting is well-suited for places that can endure damage – entryways being one of the most common ones. This is especially the case if you live in an area where it rains a lot since your walls are constantly exposed to a lot of moisture. Also, painted panels can be very eye-catching and provide a great “intro” to your home!
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Dining Rooms
The dining room is usually one of the most utilized rooms in homes, so naturally, it needs to pop! Wainscoting is an excellent way to achieve that. Additionally, dining room walls are prone to having wall damage from accidental chair bumps, so these panels can add an extra layer of protection.
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Living Rooms
The living room is the star of every home, so you can go above and beyond with your wainscoting project. What we suggest here is to go for panels that will contrast your walls, creating an appealing focal point. Alternatively, if you have maximalist-styled wallpaper, panels in a simple color like white or beige can “even” the area out so it’s not too heavy on the eyes.
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Baths
Baths often require frequent restorations due to water damage. However, retiling can be pretty heavy on the budget, which is why wainscoting is such an excellent alternative. Plus, these panels can add an extra layer of warmth to the room – say goodbye to being cold right after you shower!
Start Your Wainscoting Project Today!
As you can see, wainscoting is the refresh your home needs! If you’re looking for some inspiration, check out our ideas and head to our store to order your metal wainscoting panels.
